I first met Catherine and her kids, Tanner and Meredith, about a million years ago at the wedding of Evan and Ashley, where I snapped a couple of quick photos of the then small children on the golf course during the reception. So when she called me up a few weeks ago to see if I was available to photograph her kids, of course I was elated. There's no greater compliment than to stick around in someone's mind so that when the need for my services arises, they automatically think of me.

Tanner was in need of senior portraits for the yearbook, and when Catherine told me he'd like them taken near a river or stream, I knew just the place. His nickname is "Trout" for his love for trout-fishing, and I always love incorporating a personal passion or story into portrait sessions. We walked a bit of the Bicentennial Greenway near Gibson Park in High Point and arrived at the stream I used to walk past regularly when we lived nearby.

Meredith, though not quite ready for senior portraits, is a performer and was in need of some new theatre headshots. For these, we headed to downtown High Point, where I knew the lighting and industrial backdrop would serve us well. And you'd never guess that we had been stuck in a rainstorm just minutes before these photos... isn't she gorgeous?!

Both Tanner and Meredith were so kind, cooperative, and gracious, and I couldn't have asked for two finer young people to have the opportunity to photograph. Thanks H family for a great evening, and I hope to have you in front of the camera again soon!

During our time in Germany, I had the pleasure of photographing a few mini-sessions for some fellow expat families. Not only did it allow me to keep my photography skills fresh, but I met some of the loveliest souls in doing so. We lived so close to this beautiful park, and I lugged my gear across on a sunny morning to capture the Holzwarths.

Much like us, they moved to Aachen with their two kids for a job opportunity. Devon is not only an amazing mother, but she is also a talented artist, with a focus in children's illustration. Check out her work here.

My favorite way to photograph families is to just let them interact naturally and allow kids to be kids. The results are fewer tears and grumpy faces and more beautiful moments like these...

Dad had some rad kid-tossing skills!

I always like to sneak a photo or two of just mom and dad into each session. They were, after all, the originals :)

The High Point Furniture Market just wrapped up this past weekend, and I was thrilled to once again be a part of all the excitement. After a nearly two year hiatus due to our time abroad, it was great to warm back up to event photography with something fun and low-key. For those who aren't familiar with the furniture world, Market is a time when the otherwise quiet and calm little city we call home turns into a bustling metropolis of furniture makers, buyers, designers, and magazine editors. There are parties and events galore and don't you dare actually drive and park your car in downtown High Point (I've learned that lesson the hard way).

This year, I was approached by Karastan, a division of Mohawk, to photograph a tour and 90-year anniversary event they were hosting as a sponsor of the Design Bloggers Tour. The showroom featured a Roaring 20's theme as a nod to this special anniversary.

For a complete list of the design bloggers, pictured above, included on this year's tour by Esteem Media, see the links at the end of this post. The attendees were greeted with swag bags including the following Karastan branded materials.

A cocktail reception followed the tour, including indulgences from local favorites including Maxie B's and Josephine's Catering in nearby Greensboro, and I can't go without mentioning the beautiful florals by the always fabulous Just Priceless.